The Indian Consulate in Toronto has moved to 3 different locations in the heart
of the city.Because of the huge dispora of Indians in GTA(Greater Toronto Area)
it is always a good idea to go early much before usuual office hours to get
ahead of the line to get a number.The previous 2 locations were not big enough
to accomodate the number of people ona any given day.The present location is a
long rectangular hall with plenty of seats and plenty of standing room if
neccessary.It is always a good idea to check the website before deciding which
day you intend to go the website has Public Holidays(Holidays that observed in
India).It is convenient for most people who use the subway service but
suburbanites have to be prepared for heavy traffic and expensive
parking.Unfortunately the website does not have proper FAQs to cover every
question/query and you will never get a live person at the end of line when you
call the consulate.One has to take the
whole day to do get a visa,submit OCI documents or renew a Visa.Always get a
money order done the day before,make photo copies of all the documents
and bring all original documents even if they may not be necessary.If you are
married a Non Indian/Indian and you are applying or OCI for yourself you have
to get the documents of the spouse even if they are not applying.Make sure all
the forms are filled out and nothing gets left out.Also make sure photos meet
the proper criteria.Take the application form to the photo studio if neccessary
so they cut it correctly.A lady brought in photos that cut her shoulders off
and she was rejected right a way by individuals who screen the
applications. Carry a glue stick.Any old passport numbers mentioned on a
passport make sure you carry those old passports or be prepared with a
satisfactory answer for the office.I had old hard cover Indian passports prior
to 1985.My preplanned answer was that I was advised
to switch to soft cover to immigrate.The officer insisted there wasn't any
rule but as long you have a passport papert trail you are fine.Make double
copies of every document because applications are made in duplicate.My guess is
1 set goes to India the other says in Toronto.There is Canada Post outlet on
the ground floor doing great business from Consulate visitors.The officer calls
from a microphone in the interview room and is quite muffled so make sure you
listen carefully and don't miss your name called out.Try and remember the
people who are ahead of you so you have an idea when you will be called out.All
OCI application get logged in the order received from the people who screen to
interviewer in batches.
SO ARRIVE EARLY,BRING ALL PROPER DOCUMENTS AND A SNACK IT CAN TAKE ALL DAY
__________________________________________________________________
Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot
with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail
today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.ca
